Crystal River current., 1887-03-12

various kinds OF literary work; who
was adorningly fond of his wife, and
had not yet recovered from his surprise
at his excessive good fortune in possess
ing that much-coveted treasure-for
whom he had much contended, with
many others, in those anxious DAYS of
courtship. And nowhere she was at
home. waiting for him. while he was
urging his brain TO the top of its speed,
and driving his quill in eager haste,
thinking only of what it would bring
for him to lay at her feet.
Mildred was right in thinking he felt
anxious at times, for things did not al
ways turn out as he hoped. And he
oftentimes felt disheartened when he
thought that with the fullest measure
of success which he could achieve in
his profession could never yield what
so peerless wife as Mildred deserved.
For. of course. he had with his imagi-
nation retouched the real Mildred too.
The new purpose of authorship
brought a great light and hope into
Mildred's life. She felt important
indeed that she was much more impor-
tant than people were aware. That
she was carrying very large secret
that if John only knew!
Then she pictured to herself his read
in her story. possibly reviewing it. At
ter he has written all kinds of nice
things about it | will tell him that /
am the author; or-and her heart
turned cold and sick-what if he should
say it was trash? For, OF course, like
other good critics. John was seldom
pleased. If things were all excellent,
what would be the need of critics? So
he had cultivated the art of discovering
flaws in what seemed to ordinary read
ers pure gems. He had developed
rather talent for pillorying people in
single terse phrase, and was much
valued for his SIX II in beating down
with the editorial club tender Young
aspirants who were trying to make
themselves heard. This sounds brutal
But he was only professionally brutal.
In his personal characteristics none
could be more tender or sympathetic.
M ldred knew of this caustic vein and
believed it, too-as she did also of
Johns attributes and gifts-.'but," she
thought. if he should say any of those
dreadful things about me; what should
do? L should never-nevcr-tell himp
And so during the entire dav she
thought and planned. Few intricacies
OF plot suggesting themselves-vivid
and interesting scenes coming before
her stimulated Imagination.
Her mother urged her remaining and
sending for her husband to dine with
them. Her secret desire was to return,
but she looked at her mothers wistful
face and had not the heart to refuse.
She would stay and send for John.
That gentleman arrived at home at
the usual hour. As lie put his latch
kew into the door he smiled, thinking
of the quick ear VIII ch was listening for
it. and Of the pretty apparition which
would meet him in the hall. "By
.Jove." he thought, '.what a lucky fel-
low am!'
But the expected figure did not meet
HIM lie was conscious of Il little chill
of disappointment, and still more as he
wandered through the rooms and found
all silent and deserted.
He rang for the maid
''Where is your mistress?''
'She is out sir. There's a note, sir,
somewhere" and she looked anxious
ly about. "Oh. it is on the desk," said
she with returning memory, starting to
go for it.
mo matter; will get it, and John
turned his impatient steps toward his
wife's room.
There was no note on the desn, and
quite naturally he opened the lid. His
eyes were riveted upon the words be-
fore him.
DEAR FRANK: return herewith the
letters which l have no longer any
right to keep. 1 need not tell you what
it costs me"
He felt as if his blood wase turned
into ice.
Il have reflected much upon what
you said vesterdav-''
yesterday John felt as if he were
going mad. ''Ycsterday"'- he had
SO trusted her! The room had grown
black and a great sledge hammer was
beating his brain, but he read on
-''upon what you said yesterday. but
l am at last resolved. will not sec
you again. Any attempt to make me
break this resolve will be fruitless. God
knows you have only yourself to blame
that this marriage has
John stood for few moments as if
turned into stone, his face blanched, his
muscles tense. Then ray of hope
seemed to come to him. There is no
signature; it is not hers" He looked
again. How could he doubt it? He
knew too well the turn of every letter.
He was alternately llvid with rage and
choking with grief. His dream OF hap
piness vanished. Something like a
curse came from between his closed
teeth.
''She loves this man, and she meets
him and tells him so. and only yester-
day. Oh. it is too horribler' too horri-
ble!' He buried his face in his hands
and groaned. Il shall go away; shall
never At that moment the tele-
phone bell rang. He took no notice of
it. 81 shall never" Again it rang
long and and loud. What should he
do? There was no one else to answer
it; he must so. So he said huskily,
"Hello"'
Mildred 5 slvery voice replied, John,
is fhat Won 2''